Danforth VillageShare this Neighbourhood

Danforth Village is well known for its shopping district along Danforth Avenue. The Danforth’s many shops and restaurants reflect the multicultural flavour of the residents who live in this neighbourhood.

The relative affordability of the houses in Danforth Village, together with the convenience of the Bloor-Danforth subway line make this neighbourhood an excellent choice for first time home buyers.

This neighbourhood has become a recent hot spot for young professionals’ many of whom are noted artists. It would not surprise if your neighbour was a member of the Toronto Symphony, Canadian Opera, or film and television performers; a far cry from the blue collar families that once proliferated in this neighbourhood. The “Danny” as this neighbourhood is affectionately known attracts visitors from across the city in the springtime to a number of popular street festivals; and in the Fall garden tours together with studio visits provide an up close opportunity to get to know your neighbours. This neighbourhood is proud of its active parent participation in the school system which has welcomed many new families in recent years.

History of Danforth Village

Danforth Village, north of the Danforth, was land originally held by the Church of England. Local street names like Glebemount, and Glebeholme, are reminders that this was once Church land.

The land south of the Danforth was not held by the Church. This land was originally owned by families engaged in either farming or in the brick making business.

Danforth Avenue, this neighbourhood’s main thoroughfare, is named after Asa Danforth, an American contractor who built Kingston road in 1799 but ironically he had nothing to do with the building of Danforth Avenue.

After being annexed to the City of Toronto in 1908 Danforth Village began to be subdivided. The two most significant events in the growth of this neighbourhood were the completion of the Prince Edward Viaduct in 1918, and the opening of the Bloor – Danforth subway in 1966.